An exterior security threat at the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. on the morning of January 18 led to evacuations from several areas of the complex, and orders to stay away from windows.
The threat may have been a false alarm, as it is being attributed to a fire at a homeless encampment a few blocks from the Capitol.
ABC News reported that U.S. Capitol Police evacuated staff from the building’s West Front and crypt, a large circular room directly under the Capitol Rotunda.
At the time of the security threat, the House of Representatives and Senate were in recess, though a rehearsal for the inauguration of Joe Biden was in progress at the time of the alert.
Those participating in the rehearsal were advised to “seek cover,” while loudspeakers across the complex played the message: “Due to an external security threat, stay where you are. Stay away from doors and windows.”
Many theories were being shared as to the source of the threat. WIBC Indianapolis tweeted: ” The U.S. Capitol is being locked down due to an external security threat. No evacuation has been ordered. The House and Senate are in recess and the Capitol is relatively empty today. The external security threat is thought to involve a tunnel in DC.”
UPDATED INFO: The U.S. Capitol is being locked down due to an external security threat. No evacuation has been ordered. The House and Senate are in recess and the Capitol is relatively empty today. The external security threat is thought to involve a tunnel in DC.
— 93 WIBC Indianapolis (@93wibc) January 18, 2021
Photos were shared on social media showing smoke rising up above and behind the building, prompting panic of an attack.
“Smoke rising behind Capitol building. Inauguration rehearsal appears to be evacuating. Emergency announcement playing at Capitol grounds,” read one tweet.
BREAKING: Smoke rising behind Capitol building. Inauguration rehearsal appears to be evacuating. Emergency announcement playing at Capitol grounds. pic.twitter.com/86J9S8CsMY
— Jackson Proskow (@JProskowGlobal) January 18, 2021
“The West Front of the Capitol has just been evacuated. We’ve been moved, staff were sent this notice: All buildings within the Capitol Complex: External security threat, no entry or exit is permitted, stay away from exterior windows, doors. If outside, seek cover. USCP,” another tweet read.
NEW: The West Front of the Capitol has just been evacuated. We’ve been moved, staff were sent this notice:
All buildings within the Capitol Complex: External security threat, no entry or exit is permitted, stay away from exterior windows, doors. If outside, seek cover. USCP
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) January 18, 2021
It turned out that the smoke was actually from a fire at a homeless encampment under a freeway about a half mile from the Capitol building, as the Democrat-run area has a homelessness problem, just like the majority of Democrat-run cities.
Capitol Hill evacuation was prompted by what turned out to be a fire at a nearby homeless encampment, a law enforcement official says – #Capitol #CapitolHill #BreakingNews #WashingtonState pic.twitter.com/C2mpJvCPYm
— Utkarsh Singh (@utkarshs88) January 18, 2021
One Twitter user pointed out the level of paranoia in Washington, D.C. at the moment, writing: “A homeless man under the bridge had his belongings go up in flames. As a result- the Capitol goes under lockdown over exterior threat. By tomorrow there will be evacuations when car alarms go off.”
A homeless man under the bridge had his belongings go up in flames.
As a result- the Capitol goes under lockdown over exterior threat. 🙄
By tomorrow there will be evacuations when car alarms go off.
— Mason (@tweetfacts2me) January 18, 2021
At this time, more than 25,000 National Guard troops have been deployed into Washington, D.C. ahead of the Inauguration on January 20.